Rick Santorum’s turn to bash the media

Rick Santorum pulled a tactic out of Newt Gingrich’s playbook Tuesday, attacking the media for painting the campaign as a “two-man race.”

In particular, Santorum ripped MSNBC panelist John Heilemann for asking him about an incident that happened at a town hall Monday. Heilemann said that a town hall participant had claimed President Barack Obama was an “avowed Muslim” and that the senator had not responded.

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“Guys, I’ve spoken on that repeatedly throughout the course of this campaign. Everybody else has, too. I’ve said repeatedly that I don’t believe President Obama is a Muslim and he’s qualified,” said a weary-looking Santorum on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”

“Every time someone says something that the media don’t believe is true, and I don’t believe it’s true, it’s my responsibility [to explain]. But when the media and others says lies about me, and call me things and that it’s OK and in fact it’s promoted and encouraged and made fun of when we do it. Stop it,” he added.

“Playing the role of [CNN’s] John King this morning — John Heilemann,” quipped host Joe Scarborough, referring to Newt Gingrich’s attack on King at a debate in South Carolina last week.

Santorum also slammed the media for focusing too much on the leading two contenders for the nomination, Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney.

“Here’s what I really get a kick out of: The media for some reason wants to make this a two-man race all the time, when every time they make it a two-man race it turned out to be the wrong two people,” said Santorum on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”There’s still this desire to have this binary choice, when they should all understand that this is a much more complex situation.”

The former senator from Pennsylvania said he wondered how smart the media actually was, criticizing CNN’s King for a “beach ball” of a question to Newt Gingrich on open marriage last week in South Carolina.

“He should be paying John King a retainer for the question he threw at him. Sometimes I wonder, no offense, you guys, sometimes I wonder if you’re not that smart,” said Santorum on the press.

Correction: John Heilemann’s first name was spelled wrong in an earlier version of this story.

Readers' Comments (9)

Mitt and Newt looked like school kids stumbling around after taking wild swings at each other. Rick, when he got a chance to answer, was to the point. I especially liked his answers about sanctions on Cuba, Obama's failure on Iran, and his response to Williams about attacking the other candidates. So far Rick is the only one of the candidates not to engage in mudslinging. Maybe that's why the media won't take him seriously.

I agree with Santorum, I started to watch the debates last night (monday 1/23/2012) with Brian Williams as the commentator. I realised after a few minutes this was not a 4 man debate but a two man debate. Why dosent the media understand we as citizen's have the right to hear all comments on all questions from each and every person running for the Presidency?

I'm very concerned right now as I would not vote for either Romney nor Gingerich at this time. They are all from the old school and this is something we dont need. We need new blood in the Presidency and Congress to get our country back to work for "we the people".

Brian Williams should feel ashamed how he handeled the debate going back and forth with Romney and Gingerich. I actually felt bad listening and watching as Santorum and Paul waited anxiously to anwswer a question. If I noticed this I'll guarantee you other felt the same.

If these debates are to be televised then each questions should be answered by each person running for office with each having the same number of minutes to answer.

Stop this control of the candidates and give us, the people of the United States an opportunity to listen to each and every candidate then we'll make a decision who will be the right person for the president of the US.

Paul is my candidate to date. It seems the current Republican's feel Paul is not he one for the Presidency, guess what? Since everyone is against this candidate, take some time and listen to him. He's very knowlegable on all matters and when he does get a chance to talk you dont see any of the other candidates coming after him. Maybe were all missing something?

In ending, Hopefully in the next debate all the candidate's will have an opportunity to answer all questions equally.

“Every time someone says something that the media don’t believe is true, and I don’t believe it’s true, it’s my responsibility [to explain]. But when the media and others says lies about me, and call me things and that it’s OK and in fact it’s promoted and encouraged and made fun of when we do it. Stop it,” he [Santorum] added.

Oh stick your lip in, little girl. Whining is so unbecoming of a candidate for the highest office!

I must admit Santorum is right in this case the media has been pumping up the fight between Romney and Gingerich. They do make it a point to tune the other candidates out and from the beginning they haven't been fair to the rest of them including the ones who dropped out. They act like they are trying to set up who they would like to see take on the president just to keep their ratings up. Let them all have an equal opportunity to express their intentions and we the voters will decide the outcome not the media.

Bashing the media is as old as the hills and getting tiresome. Every candidate gets to be covered and for those who missed the memo the candidates that are in the lead always get the most questions. They are being covered by the media FREE (that is why they all jump all over themselves to be on any talk show, news report, etc whenever and wherever they can!) Sometimes I wish the media would tell them OK, take a hike, we aren't covering any of you anymore! I would love to see the outfall. Would be great. BTW.....FYI FOX'S Megan Kelly and Bret Baier said to one another after their coverage of the SC debate that they both thought Santorum should get out of the race! Have to say that that is the first time I ever heard that from a broadcaster....I can only assume they heard from Rick's advisor!